Nestled along the gentle curve of a meandering river, the small elven village of Melliune stands as a harmonious blend of natural beauty and graceful architecture. Tall, slender trees with leaves of vibrant green surround the ethereal cottages, while the soft sound of rushing water intermingles with the delicate songs of elven voices, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and enchantment.
Melliune is in the vast forest to the north of
Hamia. Nearby, are the two elven ruins of
Pherandiel and
Kermodem
Melliune likes to keep itself secluded from the outside world. To help protect their village from unwanted threats or visitors they have placed a number of illusions and enchantments around the verges of the village and lake to deter intruders.
Melliune sits along the shores of Lake Valmaxian, a small, calm body of water. Parts of the village extend over the waters of the lake on floating foundations that are attached by thick ropes to the shore. One of those floating building is the village's only public inn - Shoreline's Rest. The Inn is well known for the potted garden that it has attached to its window, including both edible and beautiful plants.
Lord Kelgroos rules the village. He is a capable leader but spends more time than many consider necessary worrying about aesthetic of the town. He is particularly obsessed with making sure that it is clean around the inn and lakeshore.
One of the most reknown inhabitants of Melliune is a half-elf master fletcher named Robin. Robin is able to create mastercraft, enchanted arrows using a combination of his arcane knowledge and wood from the rare Silver Willow trees. Robin is very patient and kind, and will lower the price of his products if someone has a nice song, story or poem. He also has a sweet tooth.
Nestled in seclusion near the inn, the elven cottage of a recluse noble elf named Ferughi exudes an air of mystique. Its quaint exterior, adorned with intricate woodwork and adorned with ethereal vines, invites curious onlookers into a world untouched by time. Inside, a treasure trove of rare artifacts and ancient tomes unveils the noble elf's profound wisdom and unwavering connection to the mystical realms. Ferughi jealously guards their knowledge, but will share it with outsiders in exchange for new knowledge.
Nyla, the Elven Gardener of Milliune, possesses an ethereal grace as she tends to the vibrant flora that thrives under her nurturing touch, a conduit of nature's secrets and wisdom. She is one of the enchanters that help to keep the village concealed. Her arcane use of plant based enchantment spells is formidable.
A recent sorce of tension in the village has been the establishment of a goblin-run business amidst the village's most fetching shops, that produces crazy topiary cutting designs. The business' owner is named Gobbo. Gobbo sports a jagged toothy grin and a mischievous glint in his eyes as he wields his rusty shears and gnarled hands, expertly trimming and shaping foliage.
Bardolph hides his malevolence behind a mask of laughter and jest, weaving subtle webs of deceit and manipulation in his attempts to sow discord and undermine the lord and lady of Milliume, exploiting their vulnerabilities and orchestrating chaos from the shadows, a master of illusion and puppetry in his quest for power and control. Bardolph is responsible for making sure the village's illusions deter unwanted visitors.
Tauton is a kenku who works for Nyla. Her master isn't particularly nice to her, with suspicions of violence. She's gathering gold by stealing seeds, bonzais, buds, fruits, ideas to run away far from here.
Plot Hook
The topary animals created by Tree Barber have been formed using enchanted sheers which make the topary become animated when moonlight falls upon them. The topary, often shaped like carnivourous beast, have been vandalising the village, and even attacking people.
Plot Hook
Nyla the gardener is killed and all eyes turn to Tauton, who claims innocence.
Animated Topiary Creature - Eagle CR: 1/8
Tiny plant / construct,
Armor Class: 12
Hit Points: 6
Speed:
9 ft
, fly: 60 ft
Skills: Perception +4
Damage Vulnerabilities: Fire
Damage Resistances: Radiant
Languages: none
Challenge Rating: 1/8
Pounce: If hiden, or undetected as an animated thing, the Topiaryffon can sneak attack (+1d6) and automatically wins initiative on the next round.
False appearance: Advantage on stealth rolls when hiding amidst formal gardens or near other topiary creations.
Actions
Talons. Melee Weapon Attack: +4 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 4 (1d4 + 2) slashing damage.
A perfect mimicry of an eagle, but made of plant matter.
Topiaryffon - Animated Topiary Griffon CR: 2
Large plant / construct,
Armor Class: 12
Hit Points: 59
Speed:
30 ft
, fly: 80 ft
Skills: Stealth +4
Damage Vulnerabilities: Fire, poison
Damage Resistances: Radiant
Languages: none
Challenge Rating: 2
Pounce: If hiden, or undetected as an animated thing, the Topiaryffon can sneak attack (+2d6) and automatically wins initiative on the next round.
False appearance: Advantage on stealth rolls when hiding amidst formal gardens or near other topiary creations.
Actions
Multiattack. The griffon makes two attacks: one with its beak and one with its claws.
Beak. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (1d8 + 4) piercing damage.
Claws. Melee Weapon Attack: +6 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: (2d6 + 4) slashing damage.
A perfect facsimile of a griffon, but made of plant matter.
Animated Topiary Creature - Dragon
Huge plant / construct,
Armor Class: 11
Hit Points: 76
Speed:
40 ft
, fly: 80 ft
Damage Vulnerabilities: Fire
Damage Resistances: Radiant, piercing
Languages: none
Commanding Spores. If hit with a melee attach spores are released in a 10ft radius from the place of impact. Anyone within that radius must succeed on a DC 13 Wisdom saving throw or use its reaction to make a melee weapon attack against a random creature within reach. If no creatures are within reach, or the target can’t take a reaction, it takes 5 (1d10) psychic damage. The target can re-save at the end of each of its turns.
Branch form: When reduced to 0 hp, the topiary dragon drops its leaves and re-animates as it's branch and stick form. Regaining all it's hit points
Actions
Multi-attack: the topiary dragon can do one bite and one claw attack each round. It can sacrif once of those attacks to do its Absorb Plant Matter ability.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +9 to hit, reach 5 ft., one creature. Hit: 16 (2d8 + 6) piercing damage
Claw. Melee Weapon Attack. +9 to hit. reach 5 ft. one creature. Hit 11 (1d10 + 6)
Absorb Plant Matter. The topiary dragon can enter the space of other plants and absorb them into its structure, thus healing it of 2d8 hp.
A perfect facimile of an adult dragon, but made of plant matter.
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